thisbluespirit (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thisbluespirit) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
rainbowfic2020-02-18 06:10 pm
thisbluespirit) wrote in rainbowfic2020-02-18 06:10 pm
Acanthus #1, Cloudy Grey #4 [Heroes of the Revolution]
Name: Return of the King
Story: Heroes of the Revolution
Colors: Acanthus #1 (sword); Cloudy Grey #4 (defy)
Supplies and Styles: None.
Word Count: 676
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Dystopia, execution, depressing AU history generally.
Notes: 1964, 1984, 1991: Michael Seaton | Arran, Anna, Thomas Hallam.
Summary: Some days Michael Seaton is just a fiery blade waiting to come down on the Dictator Hallam’s head.
***
1964
Michael sees Hallam once from a distance. Not that he’s interested then, even if Hallam’s the one who saved them all from disaster (some say he’s the one who is the disaster). He’s more bothered about missing football, but his uncle drags him along to witness the opening of New Parliament House.
He sees, from the midst of a pushing crowd, a dark car go past – a novelty in these days of restrictions and petrol rationing – and men in grey and brown suits emerge. None of them looks like Michael’s idea of a great ruler, and his building, all utilitarianism in concrete, isn’t the palace of a modern day Arthur, pulling the sword from the stone to save his people. It’s just the place where they make more and more rules and decide what’s useful and what’s not, and where they ration out everything.
His uncle grips his arm too hard. He used to be a soldier; he doesn’t always know his own strength. “Seen enough?” he says to Michael, and turns them about through the crowd who are still waiting for more. There’ll be a speech later. “So have I. That’s him, then. The bastard who doesn’t want the likes of me around.”
Uncle Nick taps his bad leg with his stick as Michael follows on behind. Even Michael understands that one has to be useful to have the means to be now.
“You should fight him,” says Michael cheerfully as they reach the nearest Tube station, miming the action now they’re out of the mass of people. “Cut off his head!”
Uncle Nick stares back across the street from the top of the downward set of steps and laughs. “Wouldn’t mind a shot, I don’t think.”
1984
When the moment comes, it’s a relief. Michael’s been waiting for this: one sharp, dividing action, so much easier than waiting for orders or doubts to push him one side of the line or the other. He’s been luckier than most. Most don’t have it this clear cut; you have to make the same difficult decisions all over again every day. Michael’s a soldier and they literally drum the obedience into you, so there’s no going back from this betrayal.
Perhaps that’s what somebody wanted. Maybe some of his objections and complaints have been noted somewhere. Maybe this is a test of his loyalty or a means to have him court martialled. Colonel Seaton, executed for treason, nobody’s problem any more. Or maybe nobody’s thought that hard; maybe it’s only another error of judgement from those in charge.
Whatever the truth, he’s not going to carry out orders to dispatch elderly residents of the former workhouse infirmary, and his men take his lead. It’s mutiny, rebellion, and not one the government can hush up the way they usually do. He cuts through his past and former allegiance as if with a shining sword and the rumours fly round the kingdom.
Colonel Seaton takes his men and heads for the resistance, and now he’s no longer what he was. Now he’s Arran, and he’s a hero. Now he’s even more of a problem.
1991
It’s not Tower Hill, only the yard outside New Parliament House, but that’s where they put Hallam up against the wall; the wall built to replace the building he himself destroyed. It’s not an executioner’s sword he faces, either, but the firing squad. It’s probably more mercy than he deserves, but they’re going to do this properly. Anna insists, and when it comes to the two of them, Arran is just the weapon in her hands.
Arran reads out Hallam’s crimes (he barely has to look at the list), from blowing up Parliament, to driving out and murdering all he decides are not useful, the lies of the research projects, and the illegality of disbanding Parliament, and more.
The moment is here again, and Arran gives the order.
“Oh, God,” says Anna beside him, but she doesn’t look away or flinch.
The men fire, and Arran goes to claim his throne.
***
Story: Heroes of the Revolution
Colors: Acanthus #1 (sword); Cloudy Grey #4 (defy)
Supplies and Styles: None.
Word Count: 676
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Dystopia, execution, depressing AU history generally.
Notes: 1964, 1984, 1991: Michael Seaton | Arran, Anna, Thomas Hallam.
Summary: Some days Michael Seaton is just a fiery blade waiting to come down on the Dictator Hallam’s head.
***
1964
Michael sees Hallam once from a distance. Not that he’s interested then, even if Hallam’s the one who saved them all from disaster (some say he’s the one who is the disaster). He’s more bothered about missing football, but his uncle drags him along to witness the opening of New Parliament House.
He sees, from the midst of a pushing crowd, a dark car go past – a novelty in these days of restrictions and petrol rationing – and men in grey and brown suits emerge. None of them looks like Michael’s idea of a great ruler, and his building, all utilitarianism in concrete, isn’t the palace of a modern day Arthur, pulling the sword from the stone to save his people. It’s just the place where they make more and more rules and decide what’s useful and what’s not, and where they ration out everything.
His uncle grips his arm too hard. He used to be a soldier; he doesn’t always know his own strength. “Seen enough?” he says to Michael, and turns them about through the crowd who are still waiting for more. There’ll be a speech later. “So have I. That’s him, then. The bastard who doesn’t want the likes of me around.”
Uncle Nick taps his bad leg with his stick as Michael follows on behind. Even Michael understands that one has to be useful to have the means to be now.
“You should fight him,” says Michael cheerfully as they reach the nearest Tube station, miming the action now they’re out of the mass of people. “Cut off his head!”
Uncle Nick stares back across the street from the top of the downward set of steps and laughs. “Wouldn’t mind a shot, I don’t think.”
1984
When the moment comes, it’s a relief. Michael’s been waiting for this: one sharp, dividing action, so much easier than waiting for orders or doubts to push him one side of the line or the other. He’s been luckier than most. Most don’t have it this clear cut; you have to make the same difficult decisions all over again every day. Michael’s a soldier and they literally drum the obedience into you, so there’s no going back from this betrayal.
Perhaps that’s what somebody wanted. Maybe some of his objections and complaints have been noted somewhere. Maybe this is a test of his loyalty or a means to have him court martialled. Colonel Seaton, executed for treason, nobody’s problem any more. Or maybe nobody’s thought that hard; maybe it’s only another error of judgement from those in charge.
Whatever the truth, he’s not going to carry out orders to dispatch elderly residents of the former workhouse infirmary, and his men take his lead. It’s mutiny, rebellion, and not one the government can hush up the way they usually do. He cuts through his past and former allegiance as if with a shining sword and the rumours fly round the kingdom.
Colonel Seaton takes his men and heads for the resistance, and now he’s no longer what he was. Now he’s Arran, and he’s a hero. Now he’s even more of a problem.
1991
It’s not Tower Hill, only the yard outside New Parliament House, but that’s where they put Hallam up against the wall; the wall built to replace the building he himself destroyed. It’s not an executioner’s sword he faces, either, but the firing squad. It’s probably more mercy than he deserves, but they’re going to do this properly. Anna insists, and when it comes to the two of them, Arran is just the weapon in her hands.
Arran reads out Hallam’s crimes (he barely has to look at the list), from blowing up Parliament, to driving out and murdering all he decides are not useful, the lies of the research projects, and the illegality of disbanding Parliament, and more.
The moment is here again, and Arran gives the order.
“Oh, God,” says Anna beside him, but she doesn’t look away or flinch.
The men fire, and Arran goes to claim his throne.
***
no subject
no subject
and I hope he doesn't turn in to what he hates.
This is an interesting question, but one that will never be answered because in any given universe Anna will kill him first just make sure he doesn't.
(Oh, btw, given all this started as a fake 1970s TV show - Michael = Julian Glover.)